Coaches

Steve Shepherd has a solid reputation for success as the head coach of the Bobcats. Currently in his 13th year, he has already accumulated a National title, three Final Four appearances, a conference title and three conference tournament titles for the College. During Shepherd’s tenure, the Bobcats have enjoyed nine 20-win seasons. In addition to his on-court success, Shepherd has dedicated himself to developing student athletes who represent College of the Ozarks with character and pride. He has coached nine All American players and seven All American Scholar Athletes.

Shepherd’s coaching career began in his hometown of Savannah, Mo. as the junior high boys’ basketball coach. His next stop was as the head girls coach at Marionville, Mo. In his six years, Shepherd’s teams collected four district championships and won the 1991 Class 2 State Championship. Shepherd’s next stop was as the head coach at Aurora, Mo. In his three years, Aurora won two conference championships. Shepherd then served three years as head coach at Parkview High School.

After 12 successful years as a high school coach, Shepherd began his collegiate coaching career in 1998 at Evangel University. He served as Evangel head coach Steve Jenkins’ assistant for four seasons. In 2002, Shepherd was on the staff that celebrated Evangel’s NAIA Division II national basketball championship.

In 2002, Shepherd was introduced as the fourth head coach in the history of College of the Ozarks' men's basketball. In his fourth year at the helm, the 2006 Bobcats delivered to College of the Ozarks their first ever national championship, defeating Huntington University 74-56 in the title game. He was also named NAIA National Coach of the Year.

Shepherd graduated from Savannah High School in 1982. He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Northwest Missouri State in 1986. Shepherd earned his master’s degree in middle school education from Evangel University in 2004. Shepherd and his wife Karen have two daughters, Alexis, 23 and Sydney 18.

Todd Wright enters his third season as an assistant coach with the College of the Ozarks men’s basketball program after joining Steve Shepherd’s staff in June of 2012.

In his first two seasons as an assistant with the Bobcats, C of O has a combined 45-24 record, an MCAC Conference Tournament title, a pair of NAIA Division II National Championship appearances, and has produced two NAIA All-Americans. Wright’s responsibilities within the program include scouting, film exchange and player development.

Wright came to College of the Ozarks after spending three seasons, 2009-2012, as an assistant coach at Hollister (Mo.) High School. Wright helped guide the Tigers to a Class 2 state playoff appearance in 2010. Prior to his arrival at Hollister, Wright was at Messenger College in Joplin for six years, including two seasons as head coach from 2005-2007, earning a regional tournament championship in 2007.

Wright earned his bachelor’s degree from Messenger College in Christian education in 2001. He lettered four seasons as a point guard for the Eagles men's basketball program. Wright received his master’s degree in liberal arts from the Midwest College of Theology and earned a PhD in divinity and theology from Midwest Theological University in 2013.

Coach Wright is currently an Adjunct Professor in the College's Physical Education Department. He and his wife, Ginger, have three children, Parker (17), Macy (14) and Ethan (10).